My road trip to Tucson
 

Well, I picked up the 15-90 from the Tucson Goodwill last Thursday.

After close inspection, it appeared that someone had attempted to removed the motor . . . without unplugging the machine. Some of the wires were cracked and dry rotted but the big give away was the electric cord was definitely fried. The part of the machine where the electric cord comes through the cabinet was "bubbled" also.

I used electric tape to temporarily fix the wires that didn't have insulation. I screwed the motor back onto the machine, oiled the puppy and tested it (with a different electric cord). It ran! It squeaks! I oiled again. It ran!

Next stop the bobbin. It wouldn't come out. I unscrewed some screws (I have no idea what I'm doing) and popped the bobbin out. Cleaned it up. Oiled the bobbin area and popped the bobbin back in.

Tried sewing on the machine but it's not picking up the thread. Could have something to do with the twisted up wire spring on the tension. Could have something to do with the fact I have never sewed on a 15.

It's squeaking again.

Forgot to bring the pictures to work. :-(

Now I have two garage ornaments from Tucson Goodwill.

Check and make sure the needle is in correctly. If they are in wrong they won't pick up the thread. I have had about five machines that I got that wouldn not sew for that reason.

Thread from the left to the right, the needle scarf is facing left on my machine. It is a 15-91 clone, 1950 from Japan.

Common condition for the 15-91 with the wiring. I'd decide whether doing anymore sewing whether your going to fix the wiring and service the machine yourself, pay someone to do it, or put it aside for a while. Not a good idea to run the machine with the wiring condition you describe. Not difficult repairs and there's a tutorial in here somewhere but it's your call. Good Luck

Jon

Jon,

AZKAT has a 15-90, not a 15-91.


AZKAT,
PM me your email addy if you want ( much easier to do pics ) and we can discuss how best to make this old lady go zoom zoom!

Joe

My bad, 15-90. Still not safe to sew with. Joe will fix you up.

These also make for a good hand cranks if wiring isn't your cup of tea.

Jon

That series of Singer threads right to left, the opposite of the clones. The needle flat faces the left. It threads like the Featherweight.

Cathy

Bobbin thread comes off the bobbin counter-clockwise.........

.....Just don't plug the machine in until Joe helps out with the motor and wiring. Getting shocked is no fun. Sorry to sound like Mom.

Jon

Ha! I bought a 15-90 clone about a year ago and couldn't get the darn thing to sew. Even broke a needle or two. Now I can't wait to get home and try to rethread it . . . and check to see which way I put the bobbin in on the Singer. Does the bobbin go in the same way on the clone?

KAT